Tiger Barb & Green Tiger Barb Behavior

[Dandee]

I have only had these Tiger Barbs & Green Tiger Barbs (a school of 5) for a couple weeks. I have not seen them do this before. I caught this behavior last night and I'm not sure if they are fighting, playing, arguing, or what. They did this for about 1/2 an hour last night and have not done it again. Anyone have some ideas?

http://www.vimeo.com/10850785

[GaryofMontreal]

It looks to me like two males sparring - mouth locking is usually a dominance thing. Eventually someone wins and the pecking order's established.
Nice shots of healthy fish!

[Dandee]

Thanks Gary. I wondered if it was something like that but didn't know. I will admit that it was interesting to watch. At times it was like they were doing underwater somersaults together. :laugh:

[GaryofMontreal]

It's the tiger barb version of thumb wrestling - or really, of goats butting heads. Occasionally, a mouth gets torn, but other than that, it's part of the intensely hierarchical world of tiger barbs.

[CACAdmin]

Definitely interesting to watch. Great video.

[tiga]

I had black ruby barbs that would spar like that, they would never lock mouths but they would spin in circles for a while. one would end up winning and the other would go and hide to nurse his hurt pride until next fight. very cool show.

[tigerbarb420]

Yes they are competing for dominance in the school. Mine used to do this before they started spawning. I am not too sure about the green tiger barbs but in the normal strain the alpha male will get bright orange coloring on his face and they will develop a shiny forest green color in the black stripe. Likely the winner will develop this, not sure how it is shown in the green tiger barb though.

Start watching for spawning!!!

[Dandee]

Thank you! :Smile: